LIons draft wrap-up

ALLEN PARK — In the final day of the draft on Saturday the Detroit Lions got help on defense, offense and special teams.

Here’s a look at the newest members of the Lions drafted in rounds four through seven:

— Defensive end Devin Taylor (South Carolina, fourth round, 132nd overall) — Taylor started 39 games the last three seasons for the Gamecocks.

“One of our goals coming in was to get bigger and more athletic, I think Devin is a guy who does that for us,’’ Lions general manager Martin Mayhew said. “He’s 6-foot-7, 270 pounds, three-year starter in SEC at South Carolina.’’

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He has 36-inch long arms and an 87-inch wingspan. In 2012 he started all 13 games and battled down six passes.

Taylor met with Lions representatives at the East-West Shrine Game and also at the NFL Combine.

It’s a position of need for the Lions who drafted defensive end Ziggy Ansah in the first round and signed free agent defensive end Jason Jones.

Taylor said he’s excited about the possibilities on the defensive line with Ndamukong Suh, Nick Fairley, Ansah and Jones.

“I feel like it should be a good show to watch. If one of them doesn’t make a play or something, then one of the ends like me or someone else will end up making the play,’’ Taylor said in a conference call.

— Punter Sam Martin (Appalachian State, fifth round, 165th overall) — The Lions had an interest for a while in Martin who made a pre-draft visit in Detroit and worked out for special teams coach John Bonamego in Charlotte, N.C.

Fifth round seems early to draft a punter, but it was late in the first round and Mayhew said he didn’t want to wait until the sixth round.

As a punter he wasn’t sure he would be drafted, so he came into draft weekend with no expectations although thought at the very least he’d sign as undrafted free agent right after the draft.

He was a first-team All-American as a senior averaging 45.9 yards per attempt. (41.5 yards net). Twenty-five of his 60 punts were downed inside the 20.

— Wide receiver Corey Fuller (Virginia Tech, sixth round, 171st overall) — Fuller does not have a ton of football experience, but he definitely has the speed as a converted track athlete.

“I left high school, I wanted to go to college to play both football and run track. Once I got to Kansas, they said I can run track for two years and then try to walk on to the team, but it was a coaching change and I just wanted to get back on the field,’’ Fuller said in a conference call. “I love the game of football and I just wanted to play it. So, I talked to a few teams. My little brother had just committed to Virginia Tech. So, when he committed, they said I can come in and try to walk on to the football team and after my first season there I can run track. So, they basically said I can do both sports. I gave up my scholarship and moved to Virginia Tech to play football.”

He played in six games at for the Hokies in 2011 and 13 in 2012 when he had eight starts and caught 45 passes for 834 yards and six touchdowns.

“Corey Fuller is raw, but he’s got great size, he’s got great speed, he was a track guy before he went to Va Tech to play football,’’ Lions general manager Martin Mayhew said. “He’s got a lot of upside, we want to see what this kid can do on special teams. ... We’re talking about getting bigger and faster he’s another guy in that same vein.

— Running back Theo Riddick (Notre Dame, sixth round, 199th) — He grew up as a big fan of running back Reggie Bush.

“Oh yeah, who wasn’t? He tore up, as a young guy growing up wanting to be a running back he was one guy I looked up to. To be in the same backfield as him is unbelievable,’’ said Riddick who was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round on Saturday.

Riddick said he doesn’t know much about the Lions, but he’s ready to work. He’s a versatile guy who has also spent time as a slot receiver.

That’s one of the things that attracted the Lions’ coaching staff.

“When I saw Theo I thought he had a guy that offered a couple different things, he’s played receiver, he’s played running back, so he’s been exposed to a lot, he’s been exposed to the run game, the pass game so he knows how to run routes,’’ Lions running backs coach Curtis Modkins said. “He’s got a lot of versatility. I’ve got some close friends on the staff at Notre Dame and I leaned on them for some information and they love the kid. I’m real excited about the versatility that Theo brings us.’’

— Tight end Michael Williams (Alabama, seventh round, 21th). — Williams, who played for the national champ Alabama, was drafted with the Lions first pick in the seventh round on Saturday. The Lions got to know Williams when they coached him in the Senior Bowl.

“What I like about Big Mike is he has an extremely high football IQ, you’re talking about a kid who started four years at Alabama and they can’t replace him,’’ Johnson said. “... Here’s a guy who played a very versatile role for them, outstanding blocker he did a lot of off-the-ball stuff, stuff from the backfield that you don’t see guys 6-7, 270 doing.’’

Williams said he’ll back up Brandon Pettigrew and then just be himself. He sees himself as more of a traditional tight end who excels in blocking.

— Linebacker Brandon Hepburn (Florida A&M, seventh round, 245th overall) — Hepburn is no dummy. He earned his degree in biochemistry a year ago and one day would like to own his own pharmaceutical company. But in the meantime he will put all his efforts into football.

Hepburn played inside and outside linebacker in college and is not sure what role the Lions have in mind for him.

“There’s still some things I’m figuring out, I’m caught up in the rapture of the draft process,’’ Hepburn said on a conference call. “It’s been a long day, but I’m happy I’ve found a home with a team for now. ... I plan to make the most out of each opportunity I have.’’

He walked on at Florida A&M, earned a scholarship. He did an internship at North Texas working on cancer research.

“I always wanted to be in this position I’m in now,’’ Hepburn said. “At the end of the day you can’t play always.’’